My Story

I’ve had my hands in clay and my stomach full of veggies for more nearly three decades. I’m obsessed with creating functional, ethical stoneware pottery, filling it with delicious vegan food and feeding those I love.  My life is filled with sweetness and I believe ‘thoughts become things’, as it turns out, over the course of 48 yrs I have stories to share and even more to be grateful for than I ever could have imagined.

I’m an only child, born and raised in Southeastern, CT by two incredible parents. I started eating a vegetarian diet during high school. After graduating from the Norwich Free Academy in 1993, I spent a decade in Montreal, Canada where I obtained my Bachelor’s degree, became Vegan and worked for The Jane Goodall Institute Canada. I volunteered, working with retired biomedical research chimpanzees at The Fauna Foundation and discovered my love for clay at a studio in downtown Montreal.

In 2002, I decided the pull of clay was stronger than anything and I moved back to CT where, with the love and support of my family and friends I opened Meiklem Kiln Works Pottery Studio. What started as a tiny studio offering pottery classes for kids and adults expanded to a larger facility in 2006 and over the next 12 yrs grew to offer a myriad of art, wellness and yoga classes. The studio supported a wonderful community of yogis and artists and was a cherished gathering place.

In the 20 yrs I’ve been a business owner I have learned a tremendous amount, built incredible relationships and dedicated countless hours to my career. In 2014 I met the love of my life and began to recognize that creating a balance between work and personal life was essential to maintaining happiness. Of course, finding a balance is easier said than done. That being said, I made the very difficult decision to pivot my career and close my Art & Wellness Studios in favor of devoting more time to honing my own craft. In August 2018 I opened a new studio & retail shop, Glaze Handmade in Stonington, CT where I continue to make and sell my pottery. If you find yourself in Southeastern CT I hope you'll stop by, otherwise I'd love to connect with you through one of the social media avenues below.

- Lyndsay Meiklem Dean